Sep 3, 2004 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Braun and beauty will be featured this weekend at the Timber Days Festival in Connellsville. Expert lumberjacks from around the world show off their wood-chopping skills Saturday and Sunday at Yough River Park, while little girls compete in a pageant. For the first time in the festival’s seven-year history celebrating the region’s lumbering heritage, organizers are planning the Little Miss Timber Days pageant. The competition will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Cindy Lizza, pageant coordinator, said the pageant is a way to get more people involved in the festival. The competition will be open to girls ages 3 to 6. Each contestant will introduce herself to the audience and say how old she is. Audience members will have a chance to make their selection for the winner on ballots they will be given.

The winner and runner-up will be awarded special prizes. Lizza said other contestants will receive gifts for participating in the pageant. At least 10 girls have already signed up for the pageant. Another new event this year will be a hot-dog eating contest, according to Chris Wagner, executive director for the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce, the event’s main sponsor. The competition will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday. Prizes will be awarded to those who eat the most hot dogs in a specified time period.

For the first time this year, a VIP tent will be set up for major festival contributors. The tent will be open to businesses and individuals who donate more than $250 as a way of recognizing them for their support. This year’s festival will feature its traditional parade, which will begin at noon Saturday on South Pittsburgh Street. More than 25 groups, including veterans, police and military units, fire departments, bands, cheerleading squads, churches, businesses and local dignitaries, have agreed to march.

Other events on Saturday include performances by the Crazy Cowboy Band and a fireworks display at dusk.

A vintage car show sponsored by the Coke Center Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. The first 100 participants will receive dash plaques. Registration is free.

But the main attraction will be the lumberjack competitions, which will begin at 1 p.m. each day. This year, more than 30 professional and amateur lumberjacks from as far away at New Zealand and Australia are expected to show off their skills. Events include hot and stock saw, two-man crosscut, Jack and Jill, standing and underhand chop, spring board and single buck.

Admission is free. Call 724-628-5500 for more information or to register for the events.